Apt 1, Trafalgar Square 1st Floor by Indigo Flats

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much from an apartment rental right in the thick of tourist central, but this Indigo Flats place on Saint Martin’s Lane actually surprised me. I mean, when you’re literally a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square, you sort of brace yourself for overpriced mediocrity and the sound of double-decker buses rumbling past your window at 6 AM. But honestly, once you climb up to that first floor (and yes, it’s a proper walk-up – no lift), the chaos below just… fades away.

The thing about this spot is the location works both for and against you, depending on what you’re after. During the day, you’re maybe two minutes from the National Gallery, and I actually timed it – 90 seconds to get to the Tube at Leicester Square. Which is brilliant if you’re doing the whole London tourist thing, but it also means navigating through crowds of people taking selfies just to grab a coffee. The apartment itself feels more spacious than you’d expect for central London, though the ceilings aren’t particularly high and the kitchen’s compact in that efficient British way. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – Saint Martin’s Lane has this weird acoustic thing where most of the street noise doesn’t really carry up, probably because of how the buildings are positioned.

The furnishing is modern without being sterile, if that makes sense. Nothing fancy, but everything works and feels clean. The bed’s actually comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and there’s decent water pressure in the shower, which honestly can be hit or miss in older London buildings. Check-in was smooth – they’ve got the whole keyless entry thing sorted, so no awkward waiting around for someone to show up with keys. My only real gripe is storage space – if you’re the type who unpacks everything, you might struggle a bit. And fair warning, weekends can get lively downstairs since you’re surrounded by pubs and late-night spots, though like I said, it’s not terrible noise-wise. The 8.5 rating feels about right to me – it’s not going to blow your mind, but for the price point and location, it delivers what it promises. If you want to be in the absolute heart of London without paying hotel prices, and you don’t mind stairs or the occasional street performer echoing up from the square, this place makes a lot of sense.

Rooms

• Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Facilities